Tie garment article

ABSTRACT

There is provided a tie garment article comprising a tie body having a first end portion and a second end portion; and a loop member being slidably coupled to a rear surface of the tie body, the loop member being dimensioned to receive the second end portion of the tie body and for retention therein when received, the loop member being slidable in a longitudinal direction of the tie body. There is also provided methods for wearing a tie garment article and methods for fabricating a tie garment article.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority on U.S. 61/930,933 filed on Jan. 23, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to the field of tie garment articles. In particular, the present disclosure relates to tie garment articles having a displaceable loop for retaining a narrow end of the tie.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

A tie is a garment article often worn around the neck of a person. Typically, when tied around the neck of the person, a wide portion of the tie and a narrow portion of the tie both extend from the person's neck over the chest and stomach area. Typically, the wide portion is positioned over the narrow portion so that the narrow portion can be hidden from view behind the wide portion. Furthermore, to aid in retaining the narrow portion behind the wide portion, an end of the narrow portion is inserted through a fixed loop provided on a rear surface of the wide portion of the tie.

Many different ways of tying the tie around the neck are known. Typically, these ways are differentiated by the type of knot formed at the front of the person's neck. Such knots can include a Windsor knot, half-Windsor knot, four in hand knot, Pratt knot, etc. Different knots may require a different length of the tie to be used in forming the knot, which further result in different lengths of the narrow portion of the tie extending from the person's neck. Furthermore, when worn by people of different height, or torso length, the length of the narrow portion of the tie to extend from the person's neck may also different. Furthermore, different individuals have different personal preferences as to the length of the extension of the wide portion of the tie when tied, which further results in different lengths of the narrow portion extending from the person's neck.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

It would thus be highly desirable to be provided with an apparatus or a method that would at least partially solve one of the problems previously mentioned or that would be an alternative to the existing technologies.

According to one aspect, there is provided a tie garment article comprising: a tie body having a first end portion and a second end portion, a loop member being slidably coupled to a rear surface of the tie body, the loop member being dimensioned to receive the second end portion of the tie body and for retention therein when received, the loop member being slidable in a longitudinal direction of the tie body.

According to another aspect, there is provided method for fabricating a tie garment article. The method includes forming a loop member having a connecting sub-loop, inserting a connecting member through the connecting sub-loop of the loop member and joining ends of the connecting member to a rear surface of a tie body, the loop member being slidably coupled to the tie body via the connecting member.

According to yet another aspect, there is provided a method for wearing a tie garment article. The method includes forming a knot with an intermediate portion of the tie garment article, whereby a wide end portion and a narrow end portion extends from the knot, adjusting a slidable loop of the wide end portion to a desired distance for receiving the narrow end portion and inserting the narrow end portion into the slidable loop for retention therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings represent examples that are presented in a non-limitative manner.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a prior art tie garment article;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a rear surface of an end portion of the prior art tie garment article;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a rear surface of an end portion of a tie garment article having a slidably coupled loop member according to various exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevation view of an end portion of the tie garment article having a slidably coupled loop member according to various exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side elevation view of an end portion of the tie garment article having a slidably coupled loop member being positioned in a first sliding position according to various exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the tie garment article having a slidably coupled loop member being positioned in the first sliding position according to various exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates a side elevation view of the tie garment article having a slidably coupled loop member being positioned in the second sliding position according to various exemplary embodiments

FIG. 8 illustrates a side elevation view of an end portion of the tie garment article having a slidably coupled loop member being positioned in a second sliding position according to various exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the tie garment article having a slidably coupled loop member being positioned in the second sliding position according to various exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 10 illustrates a side elevation view of the tie garment article having a slidably coupled loop member being positioned in the second sliding position according to various exemplary embodiments; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a front section view of a slidably coupled loop member and connecting member of a tie garment article according to various exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The following examples are presented in a non-limitative manner.

The expression “coupled” as used herein can have several different meanings depending on the context in which these terms are used. For example, the terms coupled or coupling can have a mechanical connotation. For example, as used herein, the terms coupled or coupling can indicate that two elements can be directly coupled to one another or coupled to one another through one or more intermediate elements or devices via a mechanical element. For example, with respect to fabrics, two fabric pieces may be coupled by sewing or other methods for joining fabric pieces known in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 1, therein illustrated is a top view of a prior art tie garment article 1. The prior art tie garment article includes an elongated tie body 4 having a first end portion 8, a second end portion 16 and an intermediate portion 24 between the first end portion 8 and the second end portion 8. Typically, the first end portion 8 is wider than the second end portion 16. When the tie garment article 1 is worn around the neck of a person, the intermediate portion 24 wraps around the neck and forms a knot and the first end portion 8 and second end portion 16 extend from the neck over the chest and stomach area of the person.

Referring now to FIG. 2, therein illustrated is a plan view of a rear surface of the first end portion 8 of the prior art tie garment 1. The first end portion 8 include a loop member 32 coupled to the rear surface 40 of the first end portion 8 at a fixed distance 48 away from the first end 56 of the tie body 4. For example, the first end 56 corresponds to a wide end of the tie body 4. The fixed loop member 32 defines with the rear surface 40 an opening 64 that is dimensioned according to a size of the second end portion 16 of the tie body 4. When the tie garment article 1 is tied around a person's neck, the second end portion 16 of the neck tie can be inserted through the opening 64 defined by the fixed loop member 32 so as to be retained by the fixed loop member 32.

As discussed above, due to different types of knots formed with the tie body 4, different body heights of the wearer, or different individual tie-wearing preferences of the wearer, the length of the second end portion 16 that extends from the neck of the wearer may be different. Accordingly, the length of the second end portion 16 that extends into and/or past the fixed loop member 32 can also be varying. This varying of the lengths can further cause the second end portion 16 to be retained in different ways by the fixed loop member 32, which may cause discomfort to the wearer and/or affect the aesthetic appearance of the tie 1. In some cases, the length of the second end portion 16 extending from the neck may be insufficient to reach the fixed loop member 32 to be retained therein. Accordingly, the second end portion 16 will hang freely, which may cause further annoyance, discomfort and/or affect aesthetic appearance.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, therein illustrated is a top view and a side elevation view, respectively, of an end portion of a tie garment article 100 having a slidably coupled loop member 104 according to various exemplary embodiments. The tie garment article 100 includes a tie body 102 having a first end portion 108, a second end portion 116 and an intermediate portion 124 between the first end portion and the second end portion. For example, first end portion 108 is wider than the second end portion 116. For example, the tie body 102 of the tie garment article 100 may be similar to the elongated tie body 4 of the prior art tie garment article 1.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the slidably coupled loop member 104 is coupled to a rear surface 128 of the tie body 102 at a location proximate but spaced apart from a first end 124 of the tie body 102. For example, the first end 124 corresponds to a wide end of the first end portion 108 of the tie body 102.

The slidably coupled loop member 104 is coupled to the rear surface 128 so as to be slidably displaceable in a longitudinal direction of the tie body 102. The longitudinal direction 132 of the tie body 102 is denoted by arrow 132 in FIG. 3 and can be defined as a direction along the elongation of the tie body 102 between its first end 124 and a second end 136 of the second end portion 116.

The slidably coupled loop member 104 is slidably displaceable between at least a first position and a second position. In the first position, the slidably coupled loop member 104 is located at a first longitudinal distance from the first end 124 of the tie body 102. In the second position, the slidably coupled loop member 104 is located at second longitudinal distance from the first end 124 of the tie body 102. The first longitudinal distance and the second longitudinal distance are different so that when positioned in the second position the slidably coupled loop member 104 is located at a further longitudinal distance from the first end 124 of the tie body 102 than when positioned in the first position.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the first position may be located at a longitudinal distance of approximately 8, 10, 12, 15 or 18 centimeters from the first end 124.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the second position may be located at a longitudinal distance of approximately 18, 20, 22, 25 or 28 centimeters from the first end 124.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the difference between the first longitudinal distance of the first position and the second longitudinal distance of the second position may be approximately 3, 5, 10, or 15 centimeters.

The slidably coupled loop member 104 is dimensioned to receive the second end portion 116 of the tie body 102. When the second end portion 116 is received within the slidably coupled loop member 104, the slidably coupled loop member 104 further retains the second end portion 116. Accordingly, the second end portion 116 cannot be easily disengaged from the slidably coupled loop member 104 without an application of external force on at least one of the slidably coupled loop member 104 and the second end portion 116.

For example, the slidably coupled loop member 104 defines an opening 140 oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 132 of the tie body 102. The opening 140 is sized according to a width and thickness of the second end portion 116 of the tie body 102 so that the second end portion 116 can enter the opening 140 and be retained therein. For example, retention of the second end portion 116 within the slidably coupled loop member 104 is provided by frictional engagement of an outer surface of the second end portion 116 with an inner surface of the slidably coupled loop member 104.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the slidably coupled loop member 104 can further comprise an aperture 106. For example, the aperture 106 is defined in a wall of the slidably coupled loop member 104 and may be oriented generally perpendicular to the opening 140 defined by the slidably coupled loop member 104. For example, the aperture 106 can be a buttonhole for receiving a button of a shirt. Accordingly, the aperture 106 can be for releasable connection with the button of the shirt.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the slidably coupled loop member 104 is located at a position intermediate the first position and the second position.

Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, therein illustrated are a side elevation view a first end portion, a top view and a side elevation view of a tie garment article 100, respectively, according to various exemplary embodiments wherein the slidably coupled loop member 104 is positioned at its first position. It will be appreciated that the slidably coupled loop member 104 is located proximate the first end 124 of the tie body 102.

FIGS. 6 and 7 further illustrate a second end portion 116 of the tie body 102 being received within the slidably coupled loop member 104. As illustrated, the second end portion 116 projects through the opening 140 defined by the slidably coupled loop member 104. It will be further appreciated that when the tie body 102 forms a knot 148, the second end portion 116 extends from the knot 148 so that a second end 136 of the tie body is located proximate the first end 124 of the tie body 102. It will be further appreciated that by positioning the slidably coupled loop member 104 in its first position proximate the first end 124 of the tie body 102, the location of the slidably coupled loop member 104 substantially corresponds with the location of the second end 136 of the tie body 102 so that a region of the second end portion 116 proximate the second end 136 is received within the slidably coupled loop member 104.

Referring now to FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, therein illustrated are a side elevation view of a first end portion, a top view and a side elevation view of a tie garment article 100, respectively, according to various exemplary embodiments wherein the slidably coupled loop member 104 is positioned at its second position. It will be appreciated that the slidably coupled loop member 104 is located at a greater distance from the first end 124 of the tie body 102 than when located in its first position.

FIGS. 9 and 10 further illustrate the second end portion 116 of the tie body 102 being received within the slidably coupled loop member 104. As illustrated, the second end portion 116 projects through the opening 140 defined by the slidably coupled loop member 104. It will be appreciated that when the tie body 102 forms the knot 148, the second end portion 116 extends from the knot 148 so that the second end 136 of the tie body is located at a greater distance from the first end 116. For example, the length of the second end portion 116 extending from the knot 148 illustrated in the example of FIGS. 9 and 10 is less than the length of the second end portion 116 extending from the knot 148 of the illustrated example of FIGS. 6 and 7. For example, the distance of the second end 136 away from the first end 124 is greater than a distance of a fixed loop member 32 of a typical prior art tie garment article 1 away from the first end 124.

It will be further appreciated that by positioning the slidably coupled loop member 104 in its second position at a distance from the first end 124 of the tie body 102, the location of the slidably coupled loop member 104 substantially corresponds to the location of the second end 136 of the tie body 102. For example region of the second end portion 116 proximate the second 136 is received within the slidably coupled loop member 104. For example, the length of the second end portion 116 extending past the slidably coupled loop member 104 in the example of FIGS. 9 and 10 may be substantially equal to the length of the second end portion 116 extending past the slidably coupled loop member 104 in the example of FIGS. 6 and 7. Accordingly, despite the length of the second end portion 116 extending from the knot 148 in the example of FIGS. 6 and 7 being different from the length of the example of FIGS. 9 and 10, the second end portion 116 is retained in the same manner in both examples due to the sliding displacement of the slidably coupled loop member 104 between its first and second positions.

Referring back to FIGS. 3 to 10, according to various exemplary embodiments, the slidably coupled loop member 104 is coupled to the rear surface of the tie body via a connecting member 156. The connecting member 156 may be an elongated member having a first end 164 and a second end 172 being both coupled to the rear surface 128 of the tie body 102. An intermediate portion 180 of the connecting member 156 located between the first end 164 and second 172 is spaced apart from the rear surface 128. For example, the first end 164 and the second end 172 may be both folded inwardly towards one another and coupled to the rear surface 128 by stitching. For example, the connecting member 156 may form a loop on the rear surface 128 of the tie body. For example, at least the intermediate portion 180 of the connecting member 156 is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the tie body 102.

The slidably coupled loop member 104 engages the intermediate portion 180 of the connecting member 156 so as to be slidable thereon. For example, the intermediate portion 180 defines the range of the slidable displacement of the slidably coupled loop member 104.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the connecting member is an elongated member. One end of the elongated member is coupled to the rear surface 128 of the tie body 102 and another end of the elongated member includes a stop. For example, the end of the elongated member having the stop is disengaged from the rear surface 128. Accordingly, the slidably coupled loop member 104 is slidable between its first position whereat it abuts against the stop and its second position. For example, the range of sliding displacement of the slidably coupled loop member 104 is defined by the stop and the end of the elongated member coupled to the rear surface 128.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the connecting member 156 and the slidably connected loop member 104 are formed of the same material. For example, the connecting member 156 and the slidably connected loop member 104 may be formed of the same material as the tie body 102.

Referring now to FIG. 11, therein illustrated is front section view of a slidably coupled loop member 104 being slidably engaged to the intermediate portion 180 of the connecting member 156 according to various exemplary embodiments. For example, the slidably coupled loop member 104 includes a connecting portion 188 for slidable connection with the connecting member 156. For example, the connecting portion 188 forms a connecting sub-loop defining an opening 192 dimensioned to receive therethrough the intermediate portion 180 of the connecting member 156. For example, the inner surface of the connecting sub-loop 188 frictionally engages an outer surface of the intermediate portion 180 of the connecting member 156 to restrict displacement of the slidably coupled loop member 104. Accordingly, the slidably coupled loop member 104 cannot be easily displaced along the length of the intermediate portion 180 of the connecting member 156 without an application external force. For example, the frictional engagement of the connecting sub-loop 188 with the connecting member 156 provides a retention force of the slidably coupled loop member 104 that is greater than the weight of the slidably coupled loop member 104. Accordingly, when the tie garment article 100 is worn so that the first end portion 108 and second end portion 116 both hang vertically from a wearer's neck, the slidably coupled loop member 104 will retain its position along the length of the intermediate portion 180 of the connecting member 156 and will not slide due to only the force of gravity.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the connecting sub-loop 188 is formed from overlapping end regions of the slidably coupled loop member 104. A first end region 196 overlaps with a second end region 204 of the loop member to form the connecting sub-loop 188 and define the opening 192. For example, a first end 208 of the loop member 204 may be stitched to the second end region 204 at a location spaced apart from a second end 216 of the loop member 104. Additionally, the second end 216 may be stitched to the first end region 196 at a position spaced apart from the first end 208 of the loop member 104.

According to an exemplary method for fabricating a tie garment article, the loop member 104 is formed from a suitable material, such as a textile material. The loop member 14 may have the connecting sub-loop 188. The loop member 104 is further engaged with the connecting member 156 by inserting the connecting member 156 through the connecting sub-loop 188 of the loop member 104. First and second ends 164, 172 of the connecting member 156 are further joined to a rear surface 128 of a tie body so that the loop member 104 is slidably coupled to the tie body 102 via the connecting member 156.

According to the exemplary method, the connecting sub-loop member 188 may be formed by overlapping a first end region 126 of the loop member with a second end region 204 of the loop member 104, stitching a first end 208 of the loop member 104 with the second end region of the loop member 104 at a first location spaced apart from the second end 216 of the loop member 104 and stitching the second end 216 of the loop member with the first end region 126 of the loop member 104 at a second location spaced apart from the first end 208 of the loop member 104.

For example, the exemplary method further includes stitching a first end 164 of the connecting member 156 to the tie body 102 at a first a longitudinal distance from the first end of the tie body 104 and stitching the second end 172 of the connecting member 156 to the tie body 102 at a second longitudinal distance from the first end 124 of the tie body 102, the second longitudinal distance being different from the first longitudinal distance.

According to an exemplary embodiment for wearing a tie garment article, a knot is formed with an intermediate portion of the tie garment article whereby a wide end portion and a narrow end portion extends from the knot. A slidable loop member of the wide end portion is adjusted to a desired distance for receiving the narrow end portion. For example, the slidably loop member may be the slidably coupled loop member 104 of the tie garment article 100 according to various exemplary embodiments described herein. A narrow end portion is then inserted into the slidable loop member for retention therein. For example, the slidable loop member is adjusted according to the length of the narrow end portion extending from the knot. For example, the slidable loop member is adjusted to a desired distance from the wide end of the tie garment article.

Additionally or alternatively, the slidable loop member 104 can be adjusted to a desired distance so as to receive a predetermined button of the wearer's shirt into a button hole of the slidable loop member. The predetermined button of the shirt can then be inserted into the button hole to form a releasable connection between the button and the slidable loop member. Accordingly, the wide end portion is further attached to the wearer's shirt. Accordingly, where the narrow end portion of the tie garment article is retained within the slidable loop member, the narrow end portion is also releasable attached with the wearer's shirt.

For example, different people may have different preferences as to the length of the narrow portion extending from the knot. Accordingly, they may have a different preference as to the predetermined button for attaching to the slidable loop member. Accordingly, the predetermined button can be located at a given length or distance from the knot. For example, the predetermined button can be the 2^(nd), 3^(rd), 4^(th) or 5^(th) button of the wearer's shirt away from the shirt collar.

The present disclosure has been described with regard to specific examples. The description was intended to help the understanding of the disclosure, rather than to limit its scope. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure as described herein, and such modifications are intended to be covered by the present document. 

1. A tie garment article comprising: a tie body having a first end portion and a second end portion; and a loop member being slidably coupled to a rear surface of the tie body, the loop member being dimensioned to receive the second end portion of the tie body and for retention therein when received, the loop member being slidable in a longitudinal direction of the tie body.
 2. The tie garment article of claim 1, wherein the loop member is slidably coupled to the rear surface of the tie body proximate the first end of the tie body.
 3. The tie garment article of claim 2, wherein the loop member is slidable between a first position and a second position, in the first position the loop member being positioned at a first longitudinal distance from the first end of the tie body and in the second position the loop member being positioned at a second longitudinal distance from the first end of the tie body, the first longitudinal distance and the second longitudinal distance being different.
 4. The tie garment article of claim 3, wherein the difference between the first longitudinal distance and the second longitudinal distance is at least 3, 5, 10 or 15 cm.
 5. The tie garment article of claim 1, wherein the loop member defines an opening oriented generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the tie body, the second end portion projecting into the opening when received in the loop member.
 6. The tie garment article of claim 1, wherein the loop member is slidably coupled to the rear surface of the tie body via a connecting member.
 7. The tie garment article of claim 6, wherein the connecting member is an elongated member, a first end and second end of the elongated member being coupled to the rear surface of the tie body and an intermediate portion of the elongated member between the first and second ends being spaced apart from the rear surface, the loop member being engaged with and being slidable about the intermediate portion.
 8. The tie garment article of claim 7, wherein the intermediate portion of the connecting member is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the tie body.
 9. The tie garment article of claim 6, wherein the connecting member and the loop member are formed of the same material.
 10. The tie garment article of claim 9, wherein the connecting member, the loop member and the tie body are formed of the same material.
 11. The tie garment article of claim 6, wherein the loop member comprises a connecting portion for slidable connection with the connecting member.
 12. The tie garment article of claim 11, wherein said connecting portion comprises a connecting sub-loop being dimensioned for receiving therethrough the intermediate portion of the connecting member.
 13. The tie garment article of claim 12, wherein an inner surface of the connecting sub-loop frictionally engages an outer surface of the connecting member.
 14. The tie garment article of claim 13, wherein the frictional engagement of the connecting sub-loop with the connecting member provides a retention force of the loop member greater than a weight of the loop member.
 15. The tie garment article of claim 12, wherein a first end region of the loop member overlaps with a second end region of the loop member to form the connecting sub-loop.
 16. The tie garment article of claim 6, wherein the connecting member is an elongated member, one end of the elongated member being coupled to the rear surface of the tie body and another end of the elongated member comprises a stop, said a loop member being slidable between said first position whereat said loop member abuts said stop and said second position.
 17. The tie garment article of claim 1, wherein the loop member comprises an aperture adapted to receive a button of a shirt for releasable connection therewith.
 18. The tie garment of claim 17, wherein said aperture is a buttonhole.
 19. A method for fabricating a tie garment article, the method comprising: forming a loop member having a connecting sub-loop; inserting a connecting member through the connecting sub-loop of the loop member; and joining ends of the connecting member to a rear surface of a tie body, the loop member being slidably coupled to the tie body via the connecting member.
 20. A method for wearing a tie garment article comprising: forming a knot with an intermediate portion of the tie garment article, whereby a wide end portion and a narrow end portion extends from the knot; adjusting a slidable loop member of the wide end portion to a desired distance for receiving the narrow end portion and/or for receiving a predetermined button of a shirt into a button hole comprised in said slidable loop member; and inserting the narrow end portion into the slidable loop member for retention therein and/or inserting the predetermined button of the shirt in the button hole of the slidable loop member for releasable connection therewith. 